Pakistani Envoy Calls for Israel’s Accountability at UNESCO Board Meeting

Pakistan’s Ambassador to France, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, delivered an impassioned address at the Eighth Special Session of UNESCO’s Executive Board, highlighting the devastating impact of the Gaza conflict on education. He called for Israel to be held accountable for its actions, which he described as war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad drew attention to the unprecedented toll on Gaza’s education system, with approximately 10,000 students killed, 15,000 injured, and over 400 teachers lost to the conflict. Nearly all educational infrastructure, including schools, has been either partially or entirely destroyed.

“Nowhere else in the world today has education been attacked to a level seen in Gaza,” he remarked. He emphasized that the deliberate targeting of students, educators, and humanitarian workers represents a gross violation of international law.

The ambassador reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which plays a critical role in providing education and support to Palestinian refugees. He condemned attempts to obstruct UNRWA’s operations, calling such moves a direct affront to UNESCO’s mandate and global commitments to education under SDG 4.

He noted that 247 UNRWA staff members have been killed in the conflict, the highest recorded loss for any UN mission. He urged UNESCO to ensure the continuity of UNRWA’s educational initiatives, warning of severe humanitarian consequences if its operations are disrupted.

Ambassador Ahmad criticized the lack of timely response and silence from key international stakeholders, including UNESCO’s leadership, regarding the crisis. He called on member states to fulfill their responsibilities and safeguard UNESCO’s credibility.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s longstanding support for Palestine, he urged the international community to work toward an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to a sovereign Palestinian state with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

The ambassador’s address served as a strong reminder of the humanitarian and educational crisis unfolding in Gaza and the need for decisive international action to uphold human rights and education for vulnerable populations.